Monday, 21st August 1916 There was a serious explosion at the Low Moor Munitions Company which manufactured picric acid. The explosion spread to the neighbouring gasworks, and destroyed a nearby railway signalling box. Wyke National School was damaged. The noise was heard in many parts of district. Because of wartime security, the press made little mention of the incident

Saturday, 22nd December 1917 There was an explosion at the Sharp & Mallen munitions factory at Wakefield Road, Copley and North Dean. Annis Pearson [4] was killed by falling masonry, and two other people were injured